Mop



C. L. DUHME July 22, 1952 MOP Filed April 26, 1947 Z 1NVENT.OR. v

Patented July 22, 1952 MOP V v Charles L. Duhme, CincinnatLOhio 1947, Serial N0. 744,141

Application ApriIZG,

" 1 Claim. (01.15 246) This invention relates to cleaning devices and is 'more particularly directedito mops. Specifically this invention is directed to a protective device-to be used on a mop to act as both a decorative' and support meansv for the mop when it is not in use.

It is quite general practice for a housewife to leave a used wet mop in her kitchen or bathroom when she is through with it for the day, either because it is too inconvenient to take the mop to the basement, or because there isnot sufiicient closet space available. However, the mop twine dries slowly, tends to mildew or rot if allowed to rest on the floor outof good air circulation and if not'concealed, is an eyesore. If the wet mop is rested-against a wall, twine-end up, (the wall almost certainly will become spotted, damaged 'or decayed I The principal object of the present invention has been to provide a simple decorative attachment for the mop whose application to the mop allows the mop to be placed against a wall without resultant damage to either mop or wall.

A further object has been to provide such a device which will be decorative and attractive in appearance as well as utilitarian, such that the mop may be left in a bathroom or kitchen to dry without presenting an unpleasant or untidy appearance.

Stated briefly, the present invention contemplates an extension or protective device, preferably in the form of a decorative ornament or heading, such as a doll or figure, which will draw attention to itself rather than to the mop or disguise, to a degree, the appearance of the mop alone, without interfering with the free circulation of air around it. The device is preferably removably fitted to the twine end of the mop handle to act as an extension thereof, such that when the mop is leaned against a wall, twine end up, the extension is in contact with the surface or wall against which the mop is leaning, the mop twine will hang downwardly along the handle, and the mop twine will thereby be prevented from contacting or damaging the wall surface.

In a typical embodiment, the invention contemplates configuration of the extension device in the form of a half-figure of a doll or the like, which may be socketed upon the lower or twine end of a mop handle whereby the mop twine forms a skirt to complete the figure when the mop is up-ended. When the assembly is completed in this manner the entire unit attractively presents the appearance of a complete twine or grass skirted figure at the end of the sticklike mop handle. For subsequent use of the map, the attachment is removed and the mopis employed in the usual manner. I

Other objects and advantages are disclosed in the following detailed description of the drawings in which:

Figure l is a front view of a preferred embodie ment of this invention showing a protective device, constructed in accordance with this specification, as incorporated on the mop handle.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the mop end and the attachment device; V

Figure 3 is an elevational vi .w of an ordinary mop asreadyforusep .1

Figure 4 is a side view of the mop with the attachment 7 device mounted on its handle, as when the mop is to be laid aside for future use.

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the component parts of a modification of the invention. r v

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 of another modified form of the improvement, in which the handle is provided with a socket groove or depression to secure the attachment.

In the drawings, the mop handle is indicated generally at 10, the mop twine at l l and the mop handle extension at l2.

An ordinary mop of conventional construction consists of a handle and a quantity of mop twine joined together at one end of the handle, as shown in Figure 3. The hank of twine is secured, by wire or string binding, to the handle slightly away from the end thereof, so that, in the finished product, a small length of the handle I3 usually projects within the free hanging ends of the mop twine; this prevents inadvertent detachment of the hank of twine from the handle.

According to one embodiment of this invention, this projection I3 serves as a seat or socket for the handle attachment device [2. As shown in the drawings this attachment may be in the form of a figure representing a girl, for example a hula girl, with the mop twine I I representing her grass skirt.

The mop handle attachment or extension I2, in its preferred embodiment as illustrated by the drawings, consists of a figure having a socket opening I4 in its base which fits about the projection l3 of the mop handle, to hold the figure in place. The base of the figure rests upon the outwardly and downwardly turned portion of the mop twine. The combination of the figure and twine may be utilized to add to the novel effect of the completed article, as is the case here, with the mop twine representing a grass skirt.

Alternative methods of attaching the figure leans against them.

In Figure 6 another modified form is shown in whichia' dowel, plug or tang I6 is incorporated in the base of the figure, for reception into a bore I 1 or slot provided in the end of the handle projection I 3.

The figures or headings utilized in this invention may be made of a variety of materials such as plaster, plastic, paper, either solid or hollow, or they may be modeled. v H

The mop handle attachment as discolsed serves two main purposes, that of providing a novel and decorative effect for the mop, to disguise or improve its appearance, and that of providing a means by which the wet mop twine will be kept from contact with any wall'surface against which the mop may be leaning. In order for the figure to serve the latterpurpose its heighth is such that when it is secured to the handle, the handle projection will be lengthened sufficiently to prevent contact between mop twine and wall, when the mop is in leaning position.

may be used if the figureis further decorated by some means, such as a broad brimm'ed hat. The hat in this instance overcomes the'want of height of the figure, since the brim of 'thehat As illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 a short-figure mop twine and thus all of the twine will dry with equal rapidity, and further, all of the twine will have equal opportunity to become dry, which would not be true if part of the twine were in contact with a wall or floor surface. Thepresent invention, because it' is decorative as well as utilitarian, further permits the mop to be kept in a warm dry room, such as a kitchen or bathroom, where the twine has a better chance to dry, rather than in-some'darkydamp place wfiere'it' would be out or the sight of possible visitors but where it would not have proper opportunity to become dry.

Having described my invention, I claim:

A mop comprising, an elongated handle, a hank of absorbent material fastened to one end of said handle inwardly from the end thereof, and a figure removably associated with the projecting endwise portion of said handle adjacent said hank of material; said figure having a portion thereof near theuppe'r end extending laterally to prevent contactbetween the hank 'of-ab sorb'ent material and a wall when the mdp'is' in inclined up-ended position with the. laterally extending portion resting against the wall sur face.

CHARLES L.

7 u REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing-references are of record in the file ofthisnpatent z- M V STATES v 

